2023 Policy Priorities for the Kansas Legislative Session

As communities across our state continue to weather the pandemic and its impacts, we know we are strongest when we work together. 

​It is possible to end hunger in Kansas. It is possible to confront flaws in our state’s justice and child welfare systems. It is possible for all members of our community to participate and have their voices heard. To build the strong state we all deserve, Kansas Legislators must act.

These are the policy solutions Kansas Appleseed is working toward during the 2023 Legislative Session for a more thriving, inclusive, and just Kansas. 

From increasing access to SNAP food assistance to working with partners to fully eliminate the state food sales tax, our team will be heading to the statehouse in 2023, ready to build a more thriving Kansas. SNAP is proven to reduce hunger, improve health, bolster local economies, create jobs, and help people out of poverty. Limiting access to food assistance negatively impacts families and is also strongly correlated with more kids entering foster care in Kansas.

In 2023, the Kansas Legislature should reduce hunger and increase access to SNAP for Kansans by ending the lifetime ban on SNAP food assistance for Kansans with more than one felony drug conviction. 
When Kansans are civically engaged, our entire communities benefit. Voting restrictions get in the way of making Kansas a better place for everyone to live, prevent voter engagement, and lead to lower representation among communities most impacted by policy decisions.

In 2023, the Kansas Legislature should  work to strengthen voting access. 
Young people are our state's future. Supporting youth and their success leads to a strong outlook for Kansas. The following solutions are key ways the Kansas Legislature can support justice-involved youth: 
  • Passing the Debt Free Justice for Youth Act legislation would end the practice of imposing unaffordable fines and fees on youth and their families. (Learn more at DebtFreeJusticeKS.org!)​
  • The Kansas Legislature should establish a clear presumption against youth shackling. The United States Supreme Court has established this for adults, but Kansas youth do not have the same protection.
  • Protecting the youth justice reforms and the dedicated funding for continued investment in youth supports and programming are essential parts of moving Kansas's youth justice work forward.
Youth in our state’s child welfare system deserve accountability and improved outcomes. Kansas Appleseed will continue to bolster reforms to improve foster care in Kansas and ensure the system has the truly transparent and independent oversight our kids, families, social workers, and communities need.